The Believer Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Jewish guy is so mad at God that he becomes a Nazi to… prove God exists?

🍿 The Believer: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Troubled Youth

Danny Balint, a young Jewish man, struggles with his faith from a young age. He questions religious tenets in Hebrew school, leading to his expulsion. This fuels his resentment towards Judaism and sets him on a path of rebellion.

Embracing Extremism

Years later, Danny becomes a fervent Neo-Nazi skinhead, spewing anti-Semitic rhetoric and engaging in violence. He seeks to find strength in this extremist ideology, which is a stark contrast to what he perceives as the weakness of Judaism. However, he still grapples with his Jewish identity, creating a complex internal conflict.

Fascist Alliances

Danny’s violent actions and articulate hate speeches attract the attention of Curtis Zampf and Lina Moebius, leaders of a fascist organization. They recruit Danny to be a public speaker and use his talents to promote their cause. He also becomes entangled with Carla, a member of the organization, who is drawn to his complexity and his knowledge of Judaism.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Danny Balint (Ryan Gosling): A conflicted young Jewish man who becomes a Neo-Nazi while grappling with his faith and identity.
• Carla Moebius (Summer Phoenix): A complex and enigmatic young woman drawn to Danny and exploring the religion he rejects.
• Curtis Zampf (Billy Zane): A fascist organizer who sees potential in Danny’s articulate and persuasive hate.
• Lina Moebius (Theresa Russell): Curtis’s partner, a calculating woman who supports exploiting Danny’s talent for their cause.
• Rav Zingesser (Sig Libowitz): Danny’s former teacher, representing the traditional Jewish faith Danny struggles to reconcile with.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Daniel Balint: “Who wants to destroy the Jews? Who wants to grind their bones into the dust? And who wants to see them rise again? Wealthier, more successful, powerful, cultured, more intelligent than ever?” – Danny articulates his twisted logic, arguing that persecution paradoxically strengthens the Jewish people.
• Daniel Balint: “If Hitler had not existed, the Jews would’ve invented him. For without such hatred, the so-called Chosen People would vanish from the earth.” – Danny explains that Jews thrive on opposition and hatred, a perverted way of seeing Judaism.
• Daniel Balint: “The only way to annihilate this insidious people once and for all… is to open our arms, invite them into our homes… and embrace them. Only then will they vanish into assimilation, normality and love.” – Danny explains that the only way to destroy the Jewish people is to love them so they will dissappear.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $416,925
• Worldwide Gross: $1,309,316

💥 The Believer Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely blown away by ‘The Believer.’ Ryan Gosling’s performance is mesmerizing; he embodies the internal conflict of a self-hating Jew with such raw intensity. The scene where he confronts Holocaust survivors is particularly haunting, showcasing the character’s twisted logic. It’s a film that stays with you, prompting introspection about identity and belief. I can’t recommend this movie enough for its sheer audacity and emotional impact. I felt like I was challenged to think about the concept of faith in a completely new way. It’s not a comfortable watch, but it’s an important one.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in psychological dramas”
  • “Fans of Ryan Gosling”
  • “Those intrigued by stories exploring complex moral issues”
  • “People who appreciate independent films with challenging themes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Violence”
  • “Anti-Semitic rhetoric”
  • “Disturbing themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Ryan Gosling delivers a career-making performance as Danny, capturing the character’s internal conflict with raw intensity. ‘The Believer’ is a challenging and provocative film that raises difficult questions about faith, identity, and hate. The movie is not always easy to watch, but it is ultimately a rewarding experience.
• The New York Times: “Henry Bean’s direction is sharp and uncompromising, never flinching from the complexities of Danny’s character. The film is a fascinating and disturbing exploration of religious extremism. ‘The Believer’ provides a nuanced look at the motivations and contradictions within a hate-filled ideology, leaving audiences with much to ponder long after the credits roll.
• Rolling Stone: “This movie doesn’t offer easy answers, instead showing a Jewish student’s private journey to understand the meaning of Judaism in his life. The plot follows a morally confused young adult struggling with the conflict between his beliefs and his heritage.

Audience Reactions

Ryan Gosling’s intense performance is what makes this film unforgettable.: Most viewers agree that ‘The Believer’ is a thought-provoking film that challenges conventional thinking about religion and identity.

The film sparks deep discussions about faith and the complexities of self-hatred.: Many viewers praised the film for its bold and unapologetic exploration of controversial themes.

Overall Consensus: ‘The Believer’ is a challenging and thought-provoking film, lauded for Ryan Gosling’s powerful performance and its unflinching exploration of religious extremism and self-hatred.

Awards

1. Sundance Film Festival (Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic)- 2001

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is loosely based on the life of Dan Burros, a high-ranking member of the American Nazi Party who committed suicide after being revealed as Jewish.”
• “Due to the film’s low budget, the crew often had to shoot scenes quickly and without permits, adding to the film’s raw and urgent feel.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Believer?

The Believer is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings for streaming options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Believer, you might like these similar films:

• American History X (1998): Explores similar themes of hate, violence, and redemption within the white supremacist subculture, though from a different perspective.
• Romper Stomper (1992): Depicts the brutal world of skinheads and their violent ideologies, offering a raw and unflinching look at extremism.
• The Sunset Limited (2011): Features intense philosophical debates about faith, meaning, and despair between two men with opposing worldviews.
• Fight Club (1999): Explores themes of self-destruction, identity crisis, and rebellion against societal norms through a dark and subversive narrative.

🛒 The Believer Related Products

• The Believer [DVD]: Own the critically acclaimed drama on DVD, featuring Ryan Gosling’s breakout performance. Explore the complexities of faith and hate with bonus content and behind-the-scenes insights.
• Defiance: How to Succeed in Life Being Yourself: A book of quotes which helps create the mindset needed to succeed and live the life you dreamed of, rather than the one society prescribed.
• The Plot Against America: A Philip Roth novel exploring an alternate American history where Charles Lindbergh becomes president and aligns with Nazi Germany, creating an atmosphere of fear and anti-Semitism.
• American History X [Blu-ray]: Edward Norton’s acclaimed performance in a film exploring similar themes of hate and redemption within a white supremacist context.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Believer features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Aveenu Malchenu” – performed by Traditional Jewish Prayer
• “Ambient Score Pieces” – performed by Uncredited Composer

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Mark Kermode explains his Exorcist obsession

Ever wondered why The Exorcist is considered a classic horror masterpiece? Mark Kermode, a respected film critic, dives into his obsession with the film, and it’s pretty fascinating to hear his insights!

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